A Bristol man who fought to get a cancer drug died just weeks after he was first given the medication.

Michael Hosken had multiple myeloma, a rare and currently incurable type of bone marrow cancer.

His consultant at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre felt that the drug Lenalidomide could prolong his life.

But because it was not routinely available on the NHS he had to apply for the treatment.

Mr Hosken was diagnosed in the autumn of 2006, about a year after he first started feeling unwell.

The 55-year-old of Knowle West died on July 14, three weeks after he was told he would be able to receive the drug after all.

Lenalidomide costs more than £5,000 for one month's treatment.

Mr Hosken's partner Andrea Badman, his family and his friends had been preparing to raise the money to pay for it through a series of events.

Mr Hosken's consultant, Dr Jenny Bird, wrote a letter explaining to any potential fundraisers how the drug might prolong his life and how he needed access to the treatment "as soon as possible".

Just as family and friends were collecting items for a car boot sale the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) – the organisation which decides which drugs should be routinely available on the NHS – decided to change its guidance for the treatment, making it available for patients in Mr Hosken's position.

The roofer's doctor had first applied for Lenalidomide or Revlimid in May this year.

But the exceptional funding panel turned down the application because NHS Bristol did not routinely fund the course of medication at the time.

An appeal was lodged with the primary care trust, which makes decisions about healthcare in the city, but still he was not granted the drug on the NHS.

Mr Hosken had already been through radiotherapy and chemotherapy before his consultant applied for the drug.

It was seen as a last option to prolong his life.

His partner, Andrea Badman, 54, said: "We were going to try to raise £10,000 so he could have the drug in July and August, but at the end of June we he would get the Revlimid.

"We had all the arrangements in place for the fundraising when we were told he had got the drug.

"We were over the moon.

"Dr Bird really did fight for Michael to get the drug.

"She was excellent.

"Michael said he would have been happy to go on until he was 60 and thought the Revlimid was going to help him. He was always very positive."

Hundreds of people attended his funeral at South Bristol Crematorium last month, with the congregation wearing Manchester United shirts for the occasion – this included her seven-year-old grandson Kefton who was a Liverpool fan but switched sides for the service.

A collection at the funeral raised £500, which will be going to the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, along with the money raised by the car boot sale.

Spokeswoman for NHS Bristol, Julie Hendry, said: "Nice published the technology appraisal guidance on the use of Lenalidomide in treating multiple myeloma on June 24 2009.

"Prior to the publication of this guidance, NHS Bristol did not routinely fund this drug as we were unable to guarantee the safety and efficacy of this treatment.

"After publication, rather than wait for the allowed 90 days to implement the guidance, NHS Bristol unusually implemented this immediately so that all patients suffering from this condition would be able to benefit as soon as possible."